ISTANBUL

The Turkish Coast Guard said Tuesday that it rescued 35 irregular migrants pushed back into the country's territorial waters by Greek naval forces.

Off the coast of Fethiye in Türkiye's southwestern province of Mugla, 25 migrants in a rubber boat were saved after a report of their presence in the area.

The Coast Guard Command said it dispatched a boat, successfully rescuing the migrants pushed back by Greek forces.

Two suspected human traffickers were arrested in connection to the incident.

The rescued migrants were handed over to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management after processing.

In a similar incident off the coast of Seferihisar in Izmir province, 10 irregular migrants were pinpointed in a rubber boat.

Coast Guard teams promptly responded and rescued the migrants, who had also been pushed into Turkish waters by Greek elements.

The migrants were also transferred to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management after the necessary procedures were completed.

Türkiye is a major transit point for asylum seekers trying to reach Europe to start a new life, especially those fleeing wars and persecution.